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Topic: An evolved Abdiel Class Minelayer (Read 2538 times)

Currently reading Very Special Ships: Abdiel Class Fast Minelayers of World War Two by Arthur Nicholson and while I had some knowledge of the type and its flexibility I never realised just how useful they were. I had been aware they had been used as fast transports for troops and material as well as, blockade runners but I was surprised they were also used as assault transport (sometimes against orders) and could have made very interesting fast APDs. Things that could have been better was their range, which would have required a larger hull and more powerful machinery, another was their AA capability, which extra length would have made easy to improve.

What I am thinking is the RN developed a larger fast minelayer intended for operations in South East Asia where range and improved AA would be very useful and then evolved the design further once it was realised how flexible the Abdiels were. They could be based on an Arethusa/Dido Class cruiser hull (thankyou Flyhawk for their new 1/700 HMS Aurora and Naiad), with no, or reduced armoured belt and if possible double the Abdiel's machinery with three funnels and four shafts. A flush deck covering the mining deck, provision to carry LCVPs and improved facilities to accommodate troops, in particular Commandos. It would also have either three or four improved DP guns 4.5" QF Mk IV in BD Mk IV mounts, two Quad 2pdr Pom Pom or multiple 40mm Hazemeyer twins.

The idea would be that they would have been ordered at the outbreak of war for the RN and RAN to serve in SEA and based on experience with the Abdiels, destroyers converted to fast transports and APDs, they were modified to fill the Assault transport role once the Japanese fleet had been successfully interdicted in the theatre. Post war they continued in a variety of roles including mine warfare training and tactics development, assault transports, as well as developing small unit amphibious tactics.

I've said for years that the Abdiels would make a good basis for whiffs. They're one of the few WWII types with a 'modern' hull, i.e. high volume, high freeboard, and a transom stern. If I ever get around to doing Patchwork World ships, with their odd mixture of technologies from the 1930s to the 1970s, they're top of the list of starting points.

Logged

"I have described nothing but what I saw myself, or learned from others" - Thucydides

"I've jazzed mine up a bit" - Spike Milligan

"I'm a general specialist," - Harry Purvis in Tales from the White Hart by Arthur C. Clarke

I've said for years that the Abdiels would make a good basis for whiffs. They're one of the few WWII types with a 'modern' hull, i.e. high volume, high freeboard, and a transom stern. If I ever get around to doing Patchwork World ships, with their odd mixture of technologies from the 1930s to the 1970s, they're top of the list of starting points.

They would even have made good guided missile conversion being larger than war built destroyers and lacking the armour of cruisers that would have to be worked around for such conversions.

I've said for years that the Abdiels would make a good basis for whiffs. They're one of the few WWII types with a 'modern' hull, i.e. high volume, high freeboard, and a transom stern. If I ever get around to doing Patchwork World ships, with their odd mixture of technologies from the 1930s to the 1970s, they're top of the list of starting points.

They would even have made good guided missile conversion being larger than war built destroyers and lacking the armour of cruisers that would have to be worked around for such conversions.

Yep: you could easily imagine them with a Tartar launcher and two twin 3" Mk.6. The main thing is that they'd have plenty of room below decks for the radar offices without having to build new shelters above the weather deck.

Logged

"I have described nothing but what I saw myself, or learned from others" - Thucydides

"I've jazzed mine up a bit" - Spike Milligan

"I'm a general specialist," - Harry Purvis in Tales from the White Hart by Arthur C. Clarke

I've said for years that the Abdiels would make a good basis for whiffs. They're one of the few WWII types with a 'modern' hull, i.e. high volume, high freeboard, and a transom stern. If I ever get around to doing Patchwork World ships, with their odd mixture of technologies from the 1930s to the 1970s, they're top of the list of starting points.

They would even have made good guided missile conversion being larger than war built destroyers and lacking the armour of cruisers that would have to be worked around for such conversions.

Yep: you could easily imagine them with a Tartar launcher and two twin 3" Mk.6. The main thing is that they'd have plenty of room below decks for the radar offices without having to build new shelters above the weather deck.

I've got the rereleased old matchbox kit by Revell so may give it a go. May give it a single 4.5" up forward in place the pair of twin 4", maybe a Mk6 but possibly a BD type. Got quite a few of the old Skywaves / Pitroad weapons sprues from various Dragon kits so have a selection of Mk13, even a Mk11 I think as well as a variety of directors.

I've said for years that the Abdiels would make a good basis for whiffs. They're one of the few WWII types with a 'modern' hull, i.e. high volume, high freeboard, and a transom stern. If I ever get around to doing Patchwork World ships, with their odd mixture of technologies from the 1930s to the 1970s, they're top of the list of starting points.

They would even have made good guided missile conversion being larger than war built destroyers and lacking the armour of cruisers that would have to be worked around for such conversions.

Yep: you could easily imagine them with a Tartar launcher and two twin 3" Mk.6. The main thing is that they'd have plenty of room below decks for the radar offices without having to build new shelters above the weather deck.